Clay soil, mulch, poor drainage - Knowledgebase Question

If you've been reading through the FAQ's, you'll know that clay soil needs time and lots of organic amendments for improvement. Amending the planting holes was a good start. You should still be able to amend the soil between the plants - in fact you'll probably want to because you'll no doubt find more and more plants that you want to include in your garden. At this point it isn't necessary to run right out and amend the unplanted areas; just remember to work in some organic matter each time you install a new plant. I'd cover the bare soil with a 2-3" layer of mulch material as soon as possible. Organic mulch can be worked into the soil at the end of the season but while it's on top of the soil this summer it will help suppress weeds, slow water evaporation, and moderate soil temperatures. You can move the mulching material aside (or dig it in) as you install new plants. Hope this clarifies things for you! Best wishes with your new garden!